Parliament
$300,000 in arrears : 47 businesses lag on Cook Islands Covid loan
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Local businesses are nearly $300,000 behind on payments of the $6.9 million loan issued by the Cook Islands Government to support them during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.
Cook Islands’ international profile soars with COP28 and Forum leadership: Brown
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Cook Islands’ profile on the international stage has never been higher than it is today, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
PAC chair Elikana demands transparency on public funds
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for stricter accountability and transparency in the use of public funds by government entities, state-owned enterprises, and Crown agencies.
High growth, high prices: Economy bounces back, but inflation bites hard
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Cook Islands’ resurgent economic growth post-Covid-19 has been overshadowed by an unprecedented surge in inflation, with prices rising by 13 per cent over the past year. Rashneel Kumar and Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Green light for relief : Parliament passes medicinal cannabis import bill
Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National, Parliament
Cook Islanders who require medicinal cannabis for their health’s wellbeing can now import or bring the item into the country, provided the product is being prescribed by an overseas medical practitioner.
Browne struggles to get answers over $640,000 vessel charter
Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Opposition leader and Rakahanga MP Tina Browne has made little progress over the course of two days, in trying to get answers from Pukapuka MP Tingika Elikana about a $640,000 charter vessel which left Rarotonga on Wednesday bound for Pukapuka.
Parliament sets 42 sitting days for 2024 session
Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Cook Islands Parliament approved 42 sitting days for 2024 yesterday, having managed to meet just over half the number of days allocated for 2023.
MPs back medicinal cannabis import
Thursday 14 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National, Parliament
Debate on the use and importation of medicinal cannabis in the Cook Islands continues in Parliament today after gaining support from both Government and Opposition MPs.
PM suggests flag rethink
Thursday 14 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Cook Islands Prime Minister has suggested considering a return to the original flag, designed by the nation’s first premier, for stronger reflection of national colours and sovereignty.
Cook Islands to crack down on crypto with new Recovery Bill
Wednesday 13 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
A new Bill that will enable Government to seize and forfeit cryptocurrency will be tabled in Parliament this week.
PM defends Cabinet expansion
Wednesday 13 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Increased demands and workload prompt the government’s proposal to expand its Cabinet from six to eight members, says the Prime Minister. Rashneel Kumar reports.
Government seeks more Ministers
Saturday 9 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Local, National, Parliament
The Cook Islands government is seeking to increase the number of Cabinet Ministers from six to eight through a proposed amendment to the Constitution, which will be tabled in Parliament next week.
Cook Islands News lodges complaint with Parliamentary Services
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The Office of the Ombudsman has advised the Cook Islands News to lodge a complaint with Parliamentary Services, advising them of concerns in relation to the release of the MPs travel costs between July 1 to September 30, 2023.
Politicians’ travel expenses sought with request under Official Information Act
Thursday 28 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Cook Islands News has made an Official Information Act request to the government seeking the travel costs of MPs.
Burglary concerns raised in Parliament
Tuesday 5 September 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Each person is responsible for the safety of their own belongings and it's imperative on us individually to ensure the safety of our belongings, says Member of Parliament Tingika Elikana.
Plans to rebuild Head of State’s official residence
Wednesday 5 July 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
There are plans to rebuild an official residence for the Head of State more than 10 years after the existing building was deemed not fit for purpose.
MPs drum up support
Saturday 24 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Parliament
Cook Islands MPs are asking whether the Ministry of Cultural Development budget could include scope for traditional drumming teaching.
Opposition leader demands greater transparency on ministerial travel
Friday 23 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Parliament
Opposition Democratic Party leader Tina Browne wants greater transparency in terms of how Ministerial trips overseas are reported.
MP calls for cut back on Parliament lunches
Friday 23 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Parliament
Cook Islands United Party leader Teariki Heather feels that Parliament should cut back on its lunches.
Christmas deadline for medicinal cannabis
Friday 23 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Parliament
The chair of the Medicinal Cannabis committee is now saying that he would like to see new measures implemented by Christmas.